The 2010 Power List

It's a New World Order for the Automobile Industry: Here are its Leaders

2009 was quite the thrill ride. The auto industry has emerged more or less intact, with the U.S. government owning the former world's biggest automaker and Fiat controlling Chrysler. As for the folks behind the automakers, 10 of the 50 on our 2009 Power List have left or been forced out of their jobs, including the top three from last year. For 2010, we've added a measurement of each Power Lister's prospects for hanging on to his job, labeled Outlook. So pop open a bottle of champagne, say "good riddance" to last year, and read on to see who's going to bring you your next new car.

I agree with the author's assessment that Fiesta and Focus will not lead Ford to profitability. I think Ford might break even at best. I think that the Fiesta and Focus are dramatic steps up in Ford's car portfolio. Ford is actually producing two small cars that could be class leading in a lot of categories assuming no major recall issues. That said, the concern lies in the price of the vehicles. We are talking about increasing the price on the average car sold when American's incomes are generally standing pat or decreasing. I hope I am wrong and Ford does not have huge inventory and huge incentives at the end of 2011. Otherwise, Ford might become Government Motors 3.0.

Todd, correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that VW owns MAN outright and not Scania (at least they're not yet a majority owner of Scania).It's funny or ironic, depending on one's POV that VW is becoming a EUropean of what GM once was: a company with a multitude of brands and entering into JVs with automakers all over the place. Back in the 80s and 90s when GM was doing this a number of folks in MSM and in the auto press saw GMs actions as genius and we see how well that has helped GM. Today, VW is doing likewise and it's 'genius.' Will folks be saying the same thing 20 yrs from now?

Its Alan Mullaly, John Krafick and Mung Koo. Mulaly clearly steered the Ford out of recession storm (not fully out yet, but he is successful so far) while the Koreans were well prepared and avoided the recession storm.